Order of the High Court of Uttarakhand regarding mining operations in Bageshwar district, Uttarakhand, 06/01/2025
Order of the High Court of Uttarakhand (WPPIL No. 202 OF 2024 with WPPIL NO.174 OF 2024) in the matter of mining operations in Bageshwar district, Uttarakhand.
The order was passed by the Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court Guhanathan Narendar and Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari. In compliance with the order of December 9, 2024 the Court Commissioners have submitted a report. The court called the report alarming as well as shocking.
"The report and the photographs clearly demonstrate complete lawlessness by the miners, and are proof of local administration turning a blind eye to the transgression," the order said. Further, the report and the photographs, prima facie, demonstrate that further mining operations, which have already damaged dwelling houses, are likely to result in landslides and definite loss of lives. The ironical part is that trained officers have permitted mining operations at the base of the hillock, when habitations in the revenue villages are found on the top of the hillock. The photographs also indicate huge crevasse indicating im pending landslides which would definitely lead to huge loss of lives. Hence, pending further orders, all mining operations in Bageshwar district shall stand suspended with immediate effect, the order said.
The High Court directed that the order should be forwarded to the Director, Geology and Mining Department, Uttarakhand and they would communicate the same to the miners and ensure implementations of the order. The Director, Geology and Mining Department has been made responsible for implementation of the order. The Amicus Curiae has been directed to bring on record and implead all the lease holders and also array the officers of the concerned department as respondents to the PIL.